I've struggled with attention/organization problems and impulsivity for most of my life, but I actually have done okay without meds, I've adjusted, I got a master's degree, worked for 5 plus years in an emotionally stressful job that required quite a bit of organization. When I went to seek a diagnosis/help, they said the results were inconclusive, they offered to prescribe me adhd meds, but at the time I was nervous about taking anything and I was thinking about getting pregnant. My question is- are these meds addictive? Do you experience withdrawal when you go off of them? What happens when you have a couple of glasses of wine on them? I think I will re-consider meds when I am fully done having children, etc.

Anonymous wrote:I've been on adderall before when I was working crazy hours and trying to balance other things. I definitely have undiagnosed ADD, but only want to use it when needed. I feel alert and can be MUCH more productive on it, but I have trouble falling asleep. I would feel very happy/buzzed like I could handle any amount of work, and cleaning of the house to prep for family and anything else, but it also sometimes made me irritable. Beware of having a cup of coffee when taking stimulants-double whammy.

I started on a teeny tiny dose and within a few months needed to increase. I do think your body adjusts to a degree. I didn't keep increasing. In fact I would get off it for as long as I could so my body would re-calibrate and I wouldn't need as much med when I tried it again.

I always thought that was supposed to happen, but I was off meds for over a year and when I went back on they actually worked less well than they had before. I do find that a day off here and there helps, though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've suspected I'm ADHD. (My brother is on meds.) Did your primary care doc or a neurologist prescribe the meds? If the latter, what was the evaluation like and would you recommend this doctor? Thanks.

If you do have ADHD, it's something you HAVE, not something you ARE. It just sounds silly to say it that way when you realize what the letters stand for. Usually a psychiatrist would evaluate and prescribe these types of meds. Some primary care docs will do it, but you're much better off with a specialist for something like this.

Yes, I can meds for what I HAVE. Can you get the stick out of your but?

I've been on adderall before when I was working crazy hours and trying to balance other things. I definitely have undiagnosed ADD, but only want to use it when needed. I feel alert and can be MUCH more productive on it, but I have trouble falling asleep. I would feel very happy/buzzed like I could handle any amount of work, and cleaning of the house to prep for family and anything else, but it also sometimes made me irritable. Beware of having a cup of coffee when taking stimulants-double whammy.

I started on a teeny tiny dose and within a few months needed to increase. I do think your body adjusts to a degree. I didn't keep increasing. In fact I would get off it for as long as I could so my body would re-calibrate and I wouldn't need as much med when I tried it again.

It was actually a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I just found him by googling Adult ADD in my area. He is in Columbia, which is 30 minutes from me. It was a 90 minute diagnostic interview.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've suspected I'm ADHD. (My brother is on meds.) Did your primary care doc or a neurologist prescribe the meds? If the latter, what was the evaluation like and would you recommend this doctor? Thanks.

If you do have ADHD, it's something you HAVE, not something you ARE. It just sounds silly to say it that way when you realize what the letters stand for. Usually a psychiatrist would evaluate and prescribe these types of meds. Some primary care docs will do it, but you're much better off with a specialist for something like this.

OP, I've suspected I'm ADHD. (My brother is on meds.) Did your primary care doc or a neurologist prescribe the meds? If the latter, what was the evaluation like and would you recommend this doctor? Thanks.

Generic Cncerta XR. Just switched from short-acting geneic Ritalin, a while new world. I was in a concert and able to ignore the chatty teens in the row right behind me. Unheard of!

I had the buzzed feeling for the first 4-5 days on the new dose but now it is so smooth it's amazing.

I totally know what you mean OP, I went off the meds for a few years when conceiving, pregnant, and bf. I realized that things were falling apart around the house when I was less productive. So about 3 months ago I went back on Adderall XR. I was never on XR before and as a result had terrible ups and downs. As for the BP question from the PP, I actually have extremely low BP to begin with so after the meds I am actually up to a normal level.

The first few days back on the meds I felt like it was happy hr, but after 3 months it's a little better.

Best stuff ever. I chose to stop during my pregnancy and now while I'm breast feeding. Pretty much the only reason I look forward to stopping Bf'ing is to start the meds again.

I used adderall, will ask about vyvanse when I go back.

I used to be on Adderall and now I'm on Vyvanse. I know what you mean about feeling guilty--sometimes I feel like I have a secret advantage over everyone else. I hear so many moms talk about how difficult it is to stay on top of things, how their house is a mess and they can't keep the toys organized and manage to get showered and put on makeup in the morning. If I didn't have the meds I would be in the exact same boat. But since I do, I manage to be a fairly "together" mom. (Still far from perfect, of course.) When I feel "together," I feel competent, and good for my kids, and happier in pretty much every way. Who cares where it comes from--life's too short to forego something that can improve your experience so much with minimal side effects.

The buzzy feeling went away for me, but it took a while. Unfortunately, the effects of the meds have definitely gone down as well, very gradually over the course of 10 years that I've been taking them. We've tweaked the dosage and some different options, but it's still not the same as when I started. I thought after 14 months off for pregnancy and BFing, it would be like starting new again, but it hasn't been. They still work very well, just not as well as they did at the beginning.

OP here and I don't know about that. How would I know if I were having a BP spike?

Is one of the side effects blood pressure rise? I was on Adderall (generic) but just couldn't take the BP spike -- I'm wondering if Vyvance would help?

Sorry, I meant Vyvance.

I just started Vyance. I think it's in the same family as Adderal. I like the way it makes me feel, although I'm uncertain if it is helping my ADD symptoms. It does put me in a great mood, makes me more "in the movement" with my kids, gives me more motivation to do things, helps me not sweat the small stuff, be more spontaneous, and curb my appetite. I do feel slightly "buzzed" or amped on it. I don't mind, it just makes me feel a little guilty like I'm engaging in an all-day happy hour or something! Does that feeling go away eventually? I'm on the lowest dose (20 mg).

Another question, I have a slight pressure feeling in my ears and head throughout the day. Anyone experience that?